I was recently teaching a kid’s group at church and asked one of my fifth grade students to say a prayer over our snack. Head bowed and eyes closed he began, “Thank you Lord for this food and….” He paused, I opened my eyes to find him opening his. He shrugged, and said…”well?” I got what he wasn’t saying. He could not in good conscience ask God to use marshmallows and cookies to “nourish his body”.

This made me think. Am I being hypocritical when I say grace over my meals? Am I really eating the foods that God would wish for me to be given energy, vitality, and health. I have begun as I go to plan a meal, grab a snack, shop for grocery, or order in a restaurant to pray first and with real “attention” and “intention”. “Lord help me to choose to fill my body with foods that you created for its health and well-being. Foods that will allow me to function well, think well, and serve you well.

When I begin this way I feel more accountable and more appreciative of the real purpose of eating. I still pick things I enjoy but I gravitate toward fruits, vegetables, unprocessed lean meats, and water very frequently. These foods will do my body good and were created for my well-being and my pleasure. What an awesome God to use a small child to help me better understand his will for my body, and my need to be intentional in taking even better care of it.

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At lunch I said NO to the ice cream. I had eaten a healthy meal and didn’t need the extra calories. I also had no “calorie counts” for what was available and didn’t want to have to “guess-timate”. At dinner with family ice cream appeared again and again I said no. This evening however, I rewarded myself my picking up this tiny 5.8 fl oz container of mint chocolate chip at the grocery store. It was just 190 calories and boasts half the fat of regular ice cream. You don’t have to eliminate the good stuff in order to lose weight but do make educated choices. Keep portion control in mind and calories within your daily recommended range. This was very yummy and I didn’t miss the fat at all. Buying only a small container kept me from being tempted to over do. I consider that a win.

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Try using your video source for more than just entertainment. I have started a rotation of workout videos in my Netflix queue. In addition to the workouts they have in their streaming selection they have quite a few of the more popular fitness videos available by mail. Of the three videos we receive at a time I have chosen to make one always be a new workout. This keeps me excited about having something new to try. If you have Netflix, maybe you would like to do the same. Don’t have it? Schedule a once a week new workout session using YouTube videos or even check out options at the local library. These are great ways to keep things fresh and find new favorites.

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I’ve really been enjoying Lean Cuisine’s new Salad Additions. Today for lunch I tried the Cranberry Chicken for the first time and I it I must have instinctively saved the best for last. When I make salads from scratch or order in a restaurant I frequently opt for cranberry and chicken combinations with a raspberry vinaigrette. This salad takes those basics to a new level with the addition of broccoli, red onion, yellow carrots, and a blend of whole grains. The highlight is the wonderful flavor and crunch of the sesame sticks that top the salad. Yummy. This makes a great lunch that allows you to easily get lots of veggies and enjoy every one.

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I am feeling a need to focus on getting more healthy veggies in my diet. Today I tried . It was yummy. Full of crisp broccoli, yellow and orange carrots, and pineapple with a little edamame as well it delivered on the veggies. It contains a modest amount of juicy whiten meat chicken and is topped with crispy noodles and a sesame ginger vinaigrette dressing. The package suggests serving over lettuce but I am a fan of baby spinach so I used that instead. It was filling and the flavors mixed nicely. I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the mix of hot and cold but it worked. The prep is slightly more involved that a “heat and eat” dinner but it is still a quick and easy option.

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Just because I’m eating healthier doesn’t mean I need to miss out on enjoying National Spaghetti Day! Would you believe me if I told you you could have delicious spaghetti AND meatballs WITH cheese for under 300 calories (pre cheese 270 calories and 7 WW points)!

Today I tried Lean Cuisine’s Spaghetti with Meatballs for the first time and found it to be quite yummy. For my personal taste I did add just a bit of garlic powder, pepper, and 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese which brought it in around 282 calories. It filled me up and left me well satisfied. I gave it 4 starts but with the add-ins it’s easily a 5. I definitely recommend it if you are looking for a quick and healthy option.